President highlights areas of Franco-German cooperation

Eighteenth Franco-German Council of Ministers/summary of decisions – Communiqué issued by the Presidency of the Republic

Metz, 7 April 2016

The centenary of the Battle of Verdun, which is being commemorated this year, reminds us of the incalculable value of Franco-German friendship at the service of Europe.

Europe today is at peace and reunified, but it is facing significant challenges in an unstable world. They must prompt Europeans to shoulder their responsibilities together, in order to protect their security while defending their freedoms and strengthen their economy while protecting their social model. European solutions alone will be capable of addressing these challenges in an effective and lasting way.

Decisions have been taken to ensure that Europe can protect its external borders, act firmly to combat terrorism and contain the flow of illegal migrants while respecting its values, and especially the right of asylum. These decisions must be applied without delay and built on whenever necessary. France and Germany have lent their full support to them and are contributing jointly to their implementation.

Other initiatives will be necessary to ensure that Europe is better prepared for long-term challenges. France and Germany will make new proposals this year with a view to strengthening Europe where it is expected to take action: security and the defence of Europeans, through the strengthening of Schengen, a tailored asylum system and external action capabilities to promote peace and stability; and growth and employment, through the energy transition and digital modernization, the revitalization of investment and the deepening of Economic and Monetary Union.

France and Germany are also determined to strengthen their bilateral cooperation further in every field. In particular, they have decided to establish a Franco-German council on integration into our societies, to compare their experiences of how to address this common challenge and to be inspired by what has succeeded. (…)./.